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A Wildlife Rescue Center

A three-year-old female lion rescued from war-torn Ukraine has received vital oral operation to extract a badly decayed fang resulting from an infection.

The lioness arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, England on 14 March after a campaign by managing director the sanctuary's leader, who raised half a million pounds to fund her and several other lions from Ukraine.

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The surgery was performed on last week by dentist an experienced animal dentist, who has treated about 450 big cats.

"When I examined Lira's jaw and mouth, I could see immediately the damaged fang was severely infected," said the dentist.

He thought the infection was due to a trauma experienced over twelve months back, causing germs creating toxins inside the tooth.

"The approach I follow is non-human dental problems should be addressed in the most predictable, the least invasive and most secure manner," he said.

The expert clarified that as the lioness no longer required to catch prey, removal was the most "sensible and ethical solution."

The Big Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary said the extracted tooth was 3.14 inches in length, with the dentist having to extract a accumulated infection from under the fang and seal the large wound with seven dissolving sutures.

He additionally conducted a root canal treatment on the opposing upper canine tooth, which was also found to be infected.

Briony Smith, manager at the facility, said the procedure was a "complete success."

She noted the staff had spotted "a small lump on the lioness's face" but it had been difficult to assess "the extent of the problem."

"The lioness will be a little uncomfortable to initially, but now that the toxins are out of her body, she will begin improving over the next few days," added Ms Smith.

This vital operation marks a significant step in the lioness's healing process after her rescue from Ukraine.